Important Parts Donation

We have just received an extremely important donation of CA&E parts from a donor who now lives on the West Coast but lived in Wheaton back when the line was abandoned.  These items were all thoroughly cleaned and carefully packed, so they're in excellent condition.  From bottom to top:

1) We have a Stephenson builder's plate, which he believes was from car 103.  In any case, it's exactly what we need for car 36.  The 36 in particular seems to have suffered from theft while it was in Cleveland, and both of these builder's plates are missing.  So we still need another one.

2) A match striker for the smoker.  One of these was stolen also.

3) A duplex air gauge; these are essential to safe operation, and sometimes they break down.

4) Two whistles, one long and one short.

I can't tell you how much we appreciate this donor's generosity.  We can spend all the time we want on sanding and painting and so on, but if some of these irreplaceable parts are missing, the restoration still isn't complete.  Here are some things we are yet in definite need of:

1) Another "John Stephenson Company" builder's plate, just like the one pictured above.

2) CA&E first aid boxes, with or without contents.

3) Wrecking tools from the boxes in each car.

4) Ventilator adjustment rods - this is a wooden rod about 29" long with a special brass casting on one end for adjusting the louvers.  Each car should have one, but I only have a single example, which I'm guarding with my life.  

If you happen to own any of these or similar items, IRM can make good use of them.  Please email me or send a letter to IRM if you would be willing to donate (or sell) parts we need to make our restorations complete.  Thanks!